Hello, folks! In this episode of #BlabWithSandy, I have with me, the scintillating model-actress-healer-DJ Anjali Lavania. What’s interesting is, Anjali and I were schoolmates, probably not belonging to the same class but we studied at the same school – Timpany at Vizag. Anjali had made her debut in Tollywood with Pawan Kalyan’s ‘Panjaa’. Let’s wait no further and squeeze into the lovely blab:
Sandy: Hey, Anjali. Hope you are doing as beautiful as you are!
Anjali: Haha, yes Sandy. I am!
Sandy: Could you sprinkle some tidbits about your background?
Anjali: My dad was from the Navy while my mom used to be a model and work in Kerala and Goa. Due to my dad’s profession in the Navy, we often used to shift bases. That’s how I moved to Vizag during the early 90s and that’s how we both became schoolmates at Timpany School.
Sandy: Haha, yes and that’s how life is! But, you also moved out of Vizag and stayed at different places, studied in different schools. You are a globetrotter in a way since childhood.
Anjali: Lol! Yes, I was born in Mumbai.I did my schooling in Mumbai, Vizag, and also had moved to Australia for a couple of years. I had also been to Kuwait and studied in an American school.
Sandy: How and When did the modelling and acting bug hit you?
Anjali: I started modelling from my college days. I had joined a modelling agency Mumbai and that’s when I got into the Kingfisher Calendar shoot, an advertisement with Aamir Khan, and a lot more! I became a known name in the modelling industry at a very young age.
Sandy: Talking about your debut with Pawan Kalyan in ‘Panjaa’. How did that happen?
Anjali: Director Vishnuvardhan had seen an advertisement of mine and he approached me for the role. It was a great opportunity to make my debut opposite Power Star Pawan Kalyan. I was a little scared because I do not know the lyrics to my song ‘Veyy ra Chey Veyy ra’, and the rehearsal time was bleak. I somehow managed to dance to the tune and I’m glad the song worked so well. The film is still considered to be a stylish one and I am happy that I got to debut with ‘Panjaa’.
Sandy: Could you share your experience of working with Pawan Kalyan?
Anjali: He was warm and gracious. He is a kind hearted person and I cherish every moment I spent with him on the sets.
Sandy: After ‘Panjaa’, we actually did not see you much on the big screen. Why?
Anjali: I kept getting similar offers, which I did not want to do. I never wanted to be typecast, you know what I mean, Sandy? I did not get offered roles that could have made me rise up. That’s the reason I opted out of a few roles. I continued modelling for a bit and then I shifted base towards Spirituality, Life coaching, Healing, etc.
Sandy: Coming to life coaching, you are also into tarot card reading. A few snippets about it.
Anjali: Sandy, films and all are superficial, skin based, and I understood it right at the beginning of my career. Spiritual healing and coaching helped me connect with people and give them a direction in life. I felt the connection that I have towards healing and became a life coach.
Quick Shot Round:
– Love: Love is Power
– Biggest regret: I see blessings in all situations. So, no regrets
– Panjaa – It was an adventure
– A habit of yours that you’d like to change: I sleep like and I’m awake at nights like an owl. I would love to change this habit and get to hit the bed early
– One good thing and one bad thing about the film Industry: We get to meet creative creative people and showcase our skills. The bad is that it also has negativity and negative people and we need to deal with it carefully
– Movies that you watched and felt like being a part of them – Piku and Dear Zindagi
– Most used app on your phone: Hay-House and WhatsApp
Sandy: You are now a DJ in Goa and you often keep travelling to other cities in India and also abroad. How has this journey been?
Anjali: I am enjoying it. I feel lucky to have multiple skills and I am doing all I can to enjoy all that I do. The reception towards it has been great and I am thankful that people are enjoying me being a DJ.
Sandy: A piece of advice that you’d like to give to the newbies entering the industry.
Anjali: It is important to have a strong foundation. Do proper research and pick the right modelling/acting agency. There are people who will be waiting to take advantage and it’s on us to shun them down and move ahead.
Sandy: What’s in the pipeline for you in the coming months?
Anjali: I have some tours planned for music. I’m planning to come up with a book too! And, I am hopeful to visit Vizag someday, and let’s catch up there, lol!
Sandy: Haha, indeed.
It was fun blabbing with Anjali. Wishing her the best of times ahead!
Follow Sandy on Instagram @blabwithsandy